Composition for roofing, paving, &amp;c.



106. COMPOSITIONS,

OyOATING OR PLAST ISI.

PATENTQOFFIOE.

EDWARD J. YTIQTLZEEB, or DENVERQLQOLORA-DO.

COMPOSIlfION FOR ROOFING, PAVING. a0.

My composition, which is particularly ad apted for use in preparing roofing-sheets, sheathing, paving, &c., consists of t ingre- (ients elaterite or wurtzilite, gilso ite, and

ii me sludge, with a suitableoilbfiiixfifiic essary, and with or without the addition of asphaltum or equivalent substance, all combined. in suitable proportions.

The elaterite or wurtzilite of this com osition is a soluble and fusible conversion 0 the crude mineral Such a soluble and fusible product is described in United States Letters Patent to Chas. E. Anthony, No. 620,082, dated February 21, 1899. This product, as pointed out in the specification of said. patent, retains all the valuable characteristics of the cru e material from which it is produce but, unlike the cru e intractible wurtzilite, is soluble in the or inary solvents of caoutchouc and. bitumen and is fusible under ordinary heating methocs. In form, elasticity, hardness, color, and electric character the product correspon s closely with the crude mineral; but while the latter is ignitible and ('ecomposes before reaching the fusion-point the profuct ("oes not take fire, but when a flame is applied thereto simply melts. According to t e Anthony rocess the product is obtained substantia ly as follows: A quantity of crude wurtzilite is placed in an air-tight vessel or retort and heated to about 600 Fahrenheit, with the effect, in perhaps an hours time, of evolving a light gas, which in turn attacks the wurtzilite, first reducing it to a spongy mass and after several hours to a liquid state, in which it may be drawn off for use. The product which is drawn off from the retort may be immediately used in its hot liquid condition, or partially cooled or solidified and worked in some suitable apparatus, or completely cooled and hardened. I do not confine myself, however, to the use of this particular product obtained by the Anthony process should an elaterite of proper characteristics beproduced by other methods.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Application filed April 12, 1904. Serial No. 202,764,

. latented May 8, 1906.

Gilsonite, or uintahite, as it is also called, is a comparativelyrecent hydrocarbon, a bituminous materiah'which has been discussed in various publications. (See United States Patentto S. II. Gilson, No. 361,759, April 26, 1887; United States Patent to E. J. Yetter, No. 633,255, September 19, 1899, and Lockes article in Transactions of American Institute of Mining Engineers, Vol. 16, page 162.) As well known, gilsonite possesses valuable properties as the principal ingredients in roofing compositions; but used alone it is unsatisfactory, being too brittle and not adapted as a base which can be tempered to proper consistency, wherefore it is frequently combined with other substances, such as asphaltums and oils.

Lime sludge is a substance found usually as a refuse product of sugar factories, obtained in large quantities in the refining of beet-sugar. It is a calcined limestone which has taken up carbonic acid in the purifying process and is practically a carbonate of lime, which, however, has special physical characteristics particularly adapting it for this composition. This waste procluct, known as lime sludge and sometimes pressed into lime cakes and called lime mud, has no commercial value at the refineries and is therefore not saved by them, but is, on the contrary, a source of annoyance and expense to get rid of. It is thus a very inexpensive ingredient. It has a peculiarly strong affinity for hydrocarbons and readily combines chemically therewith .when thoroughly pulverized and mixed. Lime sludge has this special affinity for both elaterite and gilsonite and when combined therewith in large proportions produces an inexpensive but commercially valuable composition having many desirable qualities, as toughness, tenacity, pliability, and resistance to disintegration. The com osition thus produced possesses the chief (iliaracteristics of both gilsonite and elaterite, the condition of which is changed, however, by the presence of the lime sludge, becoming tougher and resistant to the ordinary causes of wear and deterioration. The lime sludge possesses great mechanical and chemical advantages for uniting with the other ingredients and, in addition, contains a percentage of foreign or vegetable matter, which is a further advanta e.

In forming this composition I first heat t e elaterite and gilsonite to liquid condition, usually separately, and thoroughly com- Second, elaterite, one hundred pounds;

one hundred pounds.

10 view. Asphaltum is also found highly valuable in combination with these ingredients, either with or without the 011, according to the nature of the asphaltum. Thus where hard asphaltum is used, such as the Trinidad l 5 variety, it is desirable to add an oil flux; but

in using a soft asphaltum-such as the Calif9rnia,-.s' l.exas, or other manufactured varie- I -ties, which naturally contain oil or have it incorporated in sufficient proportion by the 20 refining process-oil as a distinct ingredient is not necessary. Any equivalent of asphaltum or substance of like nature may also be combined with the other ingredients named.

For roofing and sheathing a suitable oil or flux is considered an essential ingredient unless asphaltum or equivalent material is used so tempered with oil that this substance may be omitted as a distinct ingredient.

To any of the compositions referred to having gilsonite and lime sludge as the chief ingredients I may also add sand, litharge, infusorial earth, gravel, and other substances useful for roofing and paving compositions.

In addition to the composition described, I also desire to cover per se the combination of gilsonite and elaterite either alone, with oil, asphaltum, lime, chalk, earths, clays, and the like, since these two ingredients in combina- 0 tion are new and valuable, so far as I am aware.

I have found the following admixtures give excellent results: First, elaterite or wurtzilite, one hundred pounds; gilsonite, fifty pounds. 011. sonite, fifty pounds; lime-sludge, one hiindred pounds. Third, elaterite, one hundred pounds; gilsonite, one hundred pounds; oil,

one hundred and fifty pounds; lime sludge, Fourth, elaterite, fifty pounds; gilsonite, one hundred pounds; asphaltum, one hundred pounds; oil, one hundred and seventy-five pounds; lime sludge, one hundred pounds. The first and second of these compositions are hard preparations designed for roofing and paving-blocks, &c.' The third and fourth admixtures are more especially adapted for roofing compositions and coatings and may be applied in liquid form for saturating and coating burlap, muslin, paper, and other fabrics for making roofing-sheets, floor-coverings, linings, and similar articles. They may also be tempered by heat or by slight changes in the combinations or in the use of different kinds of asphaltums or gilsonites.

The proportions of the ingredients may be varied as found desirable, either on account of the particular raw materials used, which differ, more or less in their natures, or on account of the particular pur ose in view or desired effect and temper. Ifdo not limit myself to any specific proportions.

The term elaterite as used in the following claims is intended to cover a material sub 7 stantially as described herein, whether pro-2 duced by a conversion of crude wurtziliteor by other methods, and includes any equiva lent material or product known ,under the names of elaterite or wurtzilite.

I claim as my invention and desire to se-" cure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. A roofing or paving composition containing elaterite, gilsonite and lime sludge combined in suitable proportions.

2. A roofing or paving composition containing elaterite, gilsonite and lime sludge combined in suitable proportions, together with a suitable oil or flux.

3. A roofing composition containing elaterite, gilsonite, carbonate of lime, and asphal tum, with a suitable oil or flux either incorporated in the asphaltum' or as a separate ingredient.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD J. YETTER.

I/Vitnesses:

MARY MoCRUnDEN,

' -FRANK C. ERVIN. 

